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Toronto Raptors: 3 long shots worth trading for at deadline

By Stephen Nixon

ORLANDO, FL - FEBRUARY 17: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic shoots over Taj Gibson #67 of the New York Knicks during the first half at Amway Center on February 17, 2021 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Menendez/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - FEBRUARY 17: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic shoots over Taj Gibson #67 of the New York Knicks during the first half at Amway Center on February 17, 2021 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Menendez/Getty Images) /
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Toronto Raptors
WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 10: Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards  (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

No. 1: Bradley Beal

The Toronto Raptors are 11th in the NBA, averaging 114.3 points per night. If they acquired Beal, they could easily shoot up to the top-three in the league and start overpowering their opponents. Beal is turning into one of the best scorers in the league. Stuck on one of the worst teams in the Eastern Conference, he’s clearly wasting his talents in Washington right now.

Although Beal’s points per game average has continued to increase over the past few seasons, his three-point percentage has decreased. However, if you’re a Raptors fan that’s nothing to worry about.

As the primary scoring option for the Wizards, Beal is shooting more than he ever has, so that percentage is bound to decrease. If he was on a better roster like the Raptors, you’d have to think that he’d get better shot attempts and his averages would improve.

Beal would make the Raptors unstoppable offensively

In 16 of his 24 games this season, Beal has scored 30 or more points, including a monster 60-point performance, where he shot 7-for-10 from beyond the arc. Beal is such a talented scorer that those types of games are more common than rare for the 27-year-old.

Beal’s a shooting guard, so in order for a trade to work, Kyle Lowry would probably have to be going the other way. Although Lowry is the greatest Raptor in history, a backcourt of Fred VanVleet and Beal is much more appealing if they want to have any success in the playoffs.

After spending the last nine seasons in Washington, a change of scenery could be great for him. No offense to the coaches he played for in the past, but under the guidance of Nick Nurse, Beal could turn into an even better all-around player. Beal’s good defensively, but could be great in the Raptors system.

Most of these deals would be hard to pull off but that’s why they’re long-shots. Based on Bobby Webster and Masai Ujiri’s past, anything is possible.

dark. Next. This Raps-Cavs Trade Would Get Drummond to Toronto